WWYDW: Does Ryan Nugent-Hopkins have a long-term place on the Oilers?
7 years ago
The Edmonton Oilers are in the unique position of having
three different centres playing well at the World Cup of Hockey. Leon Draisaitl
has been a leading light for the shocking Team Europe, while Ryan
Nugent-Hopkins and Connor McDavid have played well for the North American entry.
three different centres playing well at the World Cup of Hockey. Leon Draisaitl
has been a leading light for the shocking Team Europe, while Ryan
Nugent-Hopkins and Connor McDavid have played well for the North American entry.
In this week’s What Would You Do Wednesday, we ask if this
abundance of riches down the middle means that it’s time for Edmonton to move
out Nugent-Hopkins.
abundance of riches down the middle means that it’s time for Edmonton to move
out Nugent-Hopkins.
The Case For
Long-time Oilers writer Richard Cloutier made the lengthy
case to trade Nugent-Hopkins on his website. The whole piece makes a bunch
of points, but for our purposes here we can quote a single paragraph:
case to trade Nugent-Hopkins on his website. The whole piece makes a bunch
of points, but for our purposes here we can quote a single paragraph:
Nuge showing star power is an opportunity for the Oilers to
correct roster holes in a hurry. I know this isn’t what most of you want to
hear. I mean, if Nuge is playing great, why not just keep him? Because the
Oilers already have a great 1-2 at center in McDavid and Draisaitl, a bunch of
roster holes with no solutions in sight, and a $6 million per season player who
is going to play third-line minutes this season. When you sell, sell high. Any
stock trader will tell you that. Nuge’s perceived value might be as high as it
ever will get right now.
With McDavid and Draisaitl in the top two slots,
Nugent-Hopkins’ role at five-on-five is going to be reduced. Edmonton
definitely still has a hole on defence—specifically, there’s a need for a
right-shooting rearguard with some offensive ability.
Nugent-Hopkins’ role at five-on-five is going to be reduced. Edmonton
definitely still has a hole on defence—specifically, there’s a need for a
right-shooting rearguard with some offensive ability.
So why not make a move now?
The Case Against
My personal view is that trading Nugent-Hopkins would likely
be a mistake, particularly in the wake of losing Taylor Hall and with Nail
Yakupov almost certain to follow. In terms of young forwards with high-level
ability, the Oilers have four names: McDavid, Draisaitl, Nugent-Hopkins and
Jesse Puljujarvi. Maybe Tyler Benson or Drake Caggiula joins that list, but
McDavid is the centre of the team and those are the supporting cast members who
could be long-term fits in key roles next to him.
be a mistake, particularly in the wake of losing Taylor Hall and with Nail
Yakupov almost certain to follow. In terms of young forwards with high-level
ability, the Oilers have four names: McDavid, Draisaitl, Nugent-Hopkins and
Jesse Puljujarvi. Maybe Tyler Benson or Drake Caggiula joins that list, but
McDavid is the centre of the team and those are the supporting cast members who
could be long-term fits in key roles next to him.
Additionally, there is absolutely no harm in loading up on
centres. Todd McLellan defended
Nugent-Hopkins to the hilt in the middle of a tough stretch last year,
comparing him to Joe Pavelski. Pavelski, of course, was one of several natural
centres in San Jose—along with Joe Thornton, Logan Couture and Patrick Marleau—to
whom McLellan gave heavy minutes. He bumped Marleau to left wing
semi-permanently and bounced Pavelski around the lineup. The result was a San
Jose team that could have multiple looks and was insured in the event of
injuries.
centres. Todd McLellan defended
Nugent-Hopkins to the hilt in the middle of a tough stretch last year,
comparing him to Joe Pavelski. Pavelski, of course, was one of several natural
centres in San Jose—along with Joe Thornton, Logan Couture and Patrick Marleau—to
whom McLellan gave heavy minutes. He bumped Marleau to left wing
semi-permanently and bounced Pavelski around the lineup. The result was a San
Jose team that could have multiple looks and was insured in the event of
injuries.
Nugent-Hopkins’ versatility makes him a particularly good
fit in such a role. He kills penalties, he plays the power play, and he can log
heavy minutes at five-on-five. He can move up, either at left wing or at centre
if Draisaitl is bumped to right wing at times.
fit in such a role. He kills penalties, he plays the power play, and he can log
heavy minutes at five-on-five. He can move up, either at left wing or at centre
if Draisaitl is bumped to right wing at times.
Moreover, despite his strong play for North America, I’m
skeptical that Nugent-Hopkins’ trade value is all that high. Nevermind Taylor
Hall; he had two points less than Benoit Pouliot and two more than Teddy
Purcell in basically the same number of Oilers games last season. This isn’t a “sell
high” moment.
skeptical that Nugent-Hopkins’ trade value is all that high. Nevermind Taylor
Hall; he had two points less than Benoit Pouliot and two more than Teddy
Purcell in basically the same number of Oilers games last season. This isn’t a “sell
high” moment.
In any event, the right play with Nugent-Hopkins isn’t to
sell high. It’s buy, hold and prosper. Good centres are awfully hard to find.
sell high. It’s buy, hold and prosper. Good centres are awfully hard to find.
What do you think?
Do the Oilers have enough centre depth to move out a player?
If so, is this the right time to do so? Let us know in the comments section
below.
If so, is this the right time to do so? Let us know in the comments section
below.
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